Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has blamed internal discord within the Super Eagles, sparked by Victor Osimhen’s conduct, for the team’s failure to lift the Africa Cup of Nations title.
Oliseh, a former captain and ex-national team manager, said Nigeria “confused talent with licence,” arguing that Osimhen’s status as a world-class striker did not justify behaviour he said undermined team unity.
“Victor Osimhen is world class, but talent is not a licence to destroy team chemistry,” Oliseh said in remarks that have since ignited widespread debate among fans.
He pointed to a public outburst by Osimhen against winger Ademola Lookman during the tournament, describing it as a turning point in Nigeria’s campaign.
“Since that public outburst against Ademola Lookman, one of our brightest lights, Lookman became a shadow of himself and we lost the bite,” Oliseh said.
According to him, Lookman had been Nigeria’s most dangerous attacking outlet statistically before the incident, but struggled to rediscover form afterward.
“When you publicly diminish your teammates, you break their spirit,” Oliseh added. “You destroy the very confidence a team needs to survive a semifinal. Against a team as tactically sharp as Morocco, we needed our best players at a hundred percent.”
Nigeria were eliminated by Morocco in the semifinals, missing out on a chance to contest the final.
Oliseh said the fallout went beyond tactics or individual errors, insisting the Super Eagles lost their “psychological edge” at a crucial stage of the competition.
“The conflict did its damage. We didn’t just lose a game, we lost the psychological edge needed to win,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as a growing culture among supporters that tolerates indiscipline from star players.
“Scoring goals for Nigeria doesn’t give you a licence to disrespect certified legends like Finidi George or Victor Ikpeba,” Oliseh said. “It doesn’t give you the right to disrespect your coaches or teammates.”
Warning of deeper structural issues, Oliseh said Nigerian football risks long-term damage if discipline and administration are not addressed.
“If we don’t fix the discipline and the administration, there won’t be a Super Eagles left to support,” he said.
Osimhen, who finished the tournament as one of Nigeria’s standout performers, has not publicly responded to Oliseh’s comments.
